Saturday, November 29, 2014

Two new poetry editions are a welcome addition to the growing list of titles at
Guelph's Vocamus Press, a small independent publishing house with a mandate to
support the local literary landscape.

In Abandoned by the Muse, Bieke Stengos explores the changing
scenes of her speaker's life (the poet's, perhaps?) through the shifting
landscape on the road between Guelph and Kitchener.

In these short, image-packed poems, the reader is along for the drive as trees,
fields and sky transform from season to season, both on the land and as
reflected in the speaker's heart and mind.

Stengos strongly evokes a sense of loss and longing, especially in the early
selections. But that missing "muse" seems to be returning as the
collection of 24 poems nears its conclusion: "The flaming tops of
trees/Stretching to come alive."

In i want a poem, another recently
released collection of short poems from Vocamus, Guelph theatre artist, painter
and writer Valerie Senyk poses the question "What do I want from a
poem?"

Using humour and vivid language (for example, in "Rodent Poem" she
writes: "I want a poem to jump up off the page and bite me in the
face"), Senyk offers a series of possible answers, each one allowing the
poet, as she says in her preface, "to realize the pleasure of mixing
together image, metaphor, and sound."

Each of these two small volumes of short, linked poems has its own voice and
landscape — evocative and moody, cheeky and yearning — but both provide layers
of language and meaning that allow readers to experience the poems' worlds more
deeply with each visit.

Friday, November 28, 2014

Harcourt
United Church, 87 Dean Ave,Guelph, Ontario (Map here.)This
workshop will show you how writers plot a novel and
will give you the best tips on writing short stories. We’ll also look at where
to get your stories published and how to win contests. Best yet, you’ll see how
to apply the story-building techniques you’ve learned to your own
writing. Workshop leader Brian Henry has been a book editor and
creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He publishes Quick
Brown Fox, Canada’s most popular blog for writers, teaches
creative writing at Ryerson University and has led workshops everywhere from
Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to Charlottetown. But his proudest boast is
that he has helped many of his students get their first book published and
launch their careers as authors.Fee: 40.71+
13% hst = 46 paid in advance

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Mamalodeis a print magazine and a website, and it pays for feature essays. (Read a funny example by Shannon Day here).

Here’s what Mamlode has to say about
themselves:

Our readers and writers are moms – with a smattering of
dads, kids, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. They become Mamaloders
because we give them something nobody else does – the truth and each other.

Mamalode began with a party for moms the night before
Mother’s Day – Mother’s Day Eve®. The annual event grew from a small group of
friends to a large public event with 500 moms and moms-to-be, and a long list
of business sponsors.

In 2009, we published the first local print edition of
Mamalode magazine, and today we have paid subscribers in all 50 states and 10
other countries.

Every parent has a story. By sharing our stories we give
support to each other, permission to stumble and an opportunity to connect. If
your writing style and story is accepting (no judgment), candid, heartfelt and
if your story takes the topic to heart in a unique way, we want to hear from
you.

Submissions: Only
submissions that reflect our mission (to create connections) will be
considered. No how-to or political stories are accepted. We don’t lean left or
right, just on each other.

Essays for the website should be between 300-600 words,
under 1,500 for print.

Mamalode pays for feature essays only: Unique views
are tracked and recorded for 30 days after the piece goes live. Payments are
based on unique views. Your piece is promoted on Mamalode's social media
platforms and we expect you to promote your own pieces to drive traffic.

We publish several categories: Essays, Because I Said So
(short poem, blurb, etc.), Mouth of Babes (encourage your kids to write),
Daddy-o Essays, and Lists (best, worst, least, greatest of anything you think
parents should know), book reviews, videos and #dayinthelifeofmamalode
(Instagram takeover for a day!)

This
workshop will show you how writers plot a novel and
will give you the best tips on writing short stories. We’ll also look at where
to get your stories published and how to win contests. Best yet, you’ll see how
to apply the story-building techniques you’ve learned to your own writing.

Workshop leader Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative
writing instructor for more than 25 years. He publishes Quick
Brown Fox, Canada’s most popular blog for writers, teaches
creative writing at Ryerson University and has led workshops everywhere from
Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to Charlottetown. But his proudest boast is
that he has helped many of his students get their first book published and
launch their careers as authors.

Fee: 40.71+
13% hst =46paid in
advance
or 43.36 + 13% hst = 49 if you wait to pay at the
door

And please make out a cheque to the
Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library and drop it off at the library or mail it
to…Attention: "How to Build Your Story "
workshopWhitchurch-Stouffville Public Library30 Burkholder StreetStouffville, ON L4A 4K1

Founded in 1974,The Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency is a
boutique agency representing mainstream and literary fiction, thrillers and
narrative nonfiction. Its clients include Erma
Bombeck, Phil Caputo, and David Baldacci.

Melissa Edwards is the newest member of the team, and like
all new agents, she needs authors. Melissa is a graduate of Washington
University in St. Louis and Vanderbilt Law School. She is a member in good
standing of the New York State bar. While Melissa began her career as a
commercial litigation attorney, she always aspired to work in publishing. At
present, Melissa handles foreign rights for Aaron Priest and is actively developing
her own list.

Melissa’s taste ranges from classic
Victorian literature to hard-boiled crime dramas. She is interested in reading
international thrillers with likeable and arresting protagonists, lighthearted
women’s fiction and YA, female-driven (possibly small-town) suspense, and
completely immersive fantasy. Ultimately, Melissa is looking for a book that
will keep her glued to the couch all day and night, and continue to occupy her
thoughts for weeks later.

And
Brian will lead a "How to Get Published" workshop
in Niagara on the Lake on Sunday, March 1, with literary agent Olga Filina
(see here).

Other
upcoming workshops, include: “How to Write a Bestseller"with New York Times #1
bestselling author Kelley Armstrong, Saturday, Dec 6, in London (see here), Secrets
of Writing a Page-turner, Saturday, Jan 17, in Toronto (here),
"How to Write Great Dialogue," Saturday, Jan 24, in Georgetown (here),
and “Revising and Editing,” Saturday, Jan 31 in Oakville (here).

Weekly courses: Whether you're looking for
an introduction to creative writing or you're getting your manuscript
ready to submit to an agent, your best bet is a weekly course. Starting in the
new year, Brian will be offering classes for beginners through advanced
writers. See details for all six courses here.

For
details of “Welcome to Creative Writing” on Tuesday afternoons in
Burlington see here, for “Writing
Your Life & Other Personal Stories” on Tuesday mornings in
Oakville see here,
for “The Next Step in Creative Writing” on
Wednesday evenings in Burlington here,
on Thursday afternoons in Mississaugahere, and
on Thursday evenings in Georgetown here,and for “Intensive
Creative Writing” on Wednesday afternoons in Burlingtonhere.

From the
Horse’s Mouth is a round table discussion with three members of the publishing
community, moderated by writing instructor and editor Brian Henry.Following the presenters'
introductory remarks, discussion will be opened up to the floor to address the
concerns and questions of those aspiring writers present, both of fiction and
nonfiction, interested in improving their chances of getting published.

Rachelis actively growing her own of clients. She is particularly drawn to new authors. In fiction she is looking for everything from literary fiction, to voice-oriented young adult and new adult fiction. In nonfiction, Rachel is looking for narrative-driven memoirs and anything with a high level of quirkiness.

Stephen Myers also handles promotions for hockey
books and a selection of distribution clients, including W.W. Norton. Outside
of title management, he oversees the department's internship program.

Anne Shone, Senior Editor at Scholastic Canada, will be
the third member of our panel. She has worked in book publishing for close to
twenty years, concentrating on children’s books for the last fifteen. In that
time, she has edited and acquired picture books and novels for young people and
a myriad of nonfiction titles, and has worked with many of Canada’s top children’s
book authors and illustrators.

This workshop will give you the
inside scoop on what gives a novel
best-selling potential. You’ll learn how to get readers emotionally involved in
your story, how to raise tension, control your pacing and keep your readers
turning the pages. But you won't just hear about some of the best secrets of the
trade; you'll learn how to apply them to give your own writing a sharp new
edge.

Workshop leader Brian Henryhas been a book editor and creative writing teacher
for more than 25 years. But his proudest boast is that he’s helped many of his
students get published, including guest speaker Kelley Armstrong...

Kelley Armstrong lives in Aylmer, south of London, Ontario,
with her husband and three children. She used to program computers and attend
Brian Henry workshops. Now she writes international bestsellers. Kelley has hit
the New York Time’s bestseller list with both her supernatural thrillers for
adults and her urban fantasy for teens.﻿Kelley's
principal publishers are Random House Canada, Dutton and HarperCollins in the
U.S. and Doubleday in Britain. To date, she's published more than two
dozen books, most recently Sea
of Shadows a fantasy novel for teens,Loki’s Wolvesa fantasy novel for Middle Grade readers, Visions, a
contemporary gothic novel for adults, and Otherworld Nights, a collection of short supernatural stories
for adults.

Bitten, A TV series based on Kelley’s first 13
novels, started broadcasting in January 2014.

Fee: 40.71+ 13% hst = 46 paid
in advance by mail or Interac
or 43.36 + 13% hst = 49 if you wait to pay at the door

Every
Tuesday for nine weeks, fifteen or more aspiring writers gather at the feet of
Brian Henry, with the hope of becoming more proficient in writing stories. To
this end, Le Chef D’Orchestre – a man
with tremendous experience in the science and the art of skillfully delivering
a compelling story in a captivating manner, holds court.

There is
an abundance of raw talent in the group. To unleash their creativity, Brian has
deliberately maintained a playful yet informative atmosphere. This has disarmed
the participants and put them at ease. With their inhibitions suppressed, the
participants allow themselves to write
stories from the depths of their souls. It is a thing of beauty and truly
magical to behold.

Over the weeks
of class, common errors and practices that ruin a good story are discussed.
Various technical aspects of styles of writing and the dos and don’ts of creating
a good story are also showcased. Brian’s natural aptitude for teaching and motivating
his pupils quickly results in their writing skills improving dramatically. His
protégés begin to regularly deliver praiseworthy pieces.

Paul Dias

This
gathering of minds and their cumulative wealth of experience soon reveals the
presence of several good writers. More importantly, the classes have served to help
each participant discover their own unique ability to write a good story.

Paul Dias is a Jamaican by birth, who now calls Canada home. He dabbles
in painting, and is a natural story-teller who dreams of writing his first
best-seller. After living and working in
the British Virgin Islands for eighteen years, he moved to Burlington with his
wife four years ago.

photo on file

Welcome to Creative Writing class, reviewed by Vera Ninos

The first time I came across Brian Henry's name I was at a writing
workshop sponsored by the Hamilton Public Library. Two women were
discussing an upcoming one day workshop of his which they would be
attending. I wrote down his name and promptly tucked it in a drawer with
my writing journal where it was forgotten.

Months later, still dabbling and skirting the edges of my desire, I
attended another library workshop, where I was again intrigued by conversation
about this Brian Henry. Who was he and why was he so popular?

Though I googled him when I returned home and my level of intrigue
spiked I still did nothing until weeks later when I sat at my computer
registering my kids for fall activities. What the heck, I decided, and while I
registered myself for an activity, too, one of Brian’s weekly course: Welcome
to Creative Writing.

That's how I came to find myself spending two hours every Tuesday
morning in a sunny room in a Burlington Church with other aspiring writers.

Each week, while humorously dispensing his vast knowledge of writing and
writing culture, Brian is encouraging, inspiring and supportive.

Class begins with a harmonizing review of everyone's weekly writing
challenges and accomplishments, then proceeds with three students presenting a
show and share piece. As in the primary years of school, a tangible
article is shown. Unlike kindergarten, the article is accompanied by a short written
piece.

In the safety of this warm and intimate setting, the writers often delve
deep within their psyche to share personal stories of sorrow and victory, which
are often both revealing and deeply moving.

From there, a weekly lesson or focus is introduced such as Showing and
Telling what your characters are thinking, First Person Narratives and how to
write a book review – or other kinds of reviews (hence this piece).

As class continues, students are given an opportunity to apply the
lesson by beginning a written piece in class which they then share with a small
group of other students.

Each week, a handful of writers bring in longer written pieces, and
Brian critiques them and gives helpful suggestions.

It’s a lively class, and in addition, sounds from the daycare which is
likewise housed in the church tend to filter in through the thin walls. But the
murmur of children more often adds to the ambiance rather than detracting from
the experience.

As each week rolls into the next, I find my body of writing expanding,
my ability to access the writer in me easing, and my desire to share what I
have written increasing.

Vera Ninos

I would highly recommend this class to anyone interested in tapping into
their creative potential or even if you're just wondering if you have creative potential. Regardless, the class is a treasure.

Note: Read other reviews of Brian's various weekly courses and workshops here.

Vera Ninos
is Hamilton based mother of four. You can read more of her writing here.

Brian Henry has been a book editor, writer, and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He teaches creative writing at Ryerson University. He also leads weekly creative writing courses in Burlington, Mississauga, Oakville and Georgetown and conducts Saturday workshops throughout Ontario. His proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students get published.